New Hanover board votes to add RFQ discussion for legal services after controversy over outside counsel
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Summary
The board voted narrowly to add discussion about issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) for legal services after members debated whether the step was routine due diligence or punitive following a public outcry over a law firm's social-media post.
The New Hanover County Board of Education voted in a series of motions during its Feb. 11 agenda-review meeting to add discussion about issuing a request for qualifications for legal services, setting up a formal review of outside counsel ahead of a contract decision this summer.
Board member Tim Merrick raised the idea of issuing an RFQ for legal representation after the board’s recent decision to sever ties with outside counsel following a widely criticized social-media post. "I think it would be doing our due diligence to put out a request for qualifications and review other potential legal services that maybe have more experience," Merrick said during discussion.
Other board members said the move should not be seen as punitive to the incumbents. David Perry told the board he had confidence in the firm currently providing services and warned against acting in response to a single social-media comment. "I find that ridiculous" if the only motive is punishment, Perry said, adding the board should ensure work quality and continuity.
The board first voted to add the RFQ discussion to next week’s agenda. A later roll-call on whether to proceed with closing debate and taking up an RFQ item produced a split result, with the transcript recording mixed votes; staff said the item will be carried forward for further discussion consistent with the board’s procedural steps.
Superintendent and staff members told the board an RFQ process typically runs 30–90 days to allow adequate responses and recommended at least 60 days to attract qualified firms.
What happens next: The board placed a discussion on the RFQ and legal-services options on a future meeting agenda and directed staff to outline timing and scope. The board also noted the legal-services contract is set to expire in June, which would be the likely window for a new procurement.
Sources: Board discussion and roll-call votes at the Feb. 11 agenda-review meeting. No formal RFQ text or schedule was adopted during this meeting.